The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1887-06-15

Hon. Andrew r. BurIeigh, Of Miles
City, is in Helena to locate and practice
his profession.
Mr.. E. P. Fl. Harrison was awar ed
a number of surveys of agricultural land
in the Yellowstone country, at prices
a~ggregating about $10,OO0. There were
no other bidders.
The official order making Helenaa free
delivery postofice has been issued, and
has been received by Postmaster Curtis.
The order goes into effect July lst.
Specific directions are given regarding
it, and among other things the post
master is empowered to appoint and
employ four carriers.
1t is reported that the bridge at the
Three Forks is washed away, and one
over the Gallatin, and that the people at
the headwaters of the Missouri have to
come to Moreland for tleir mail matter.
The rivers are, undoubtedly, very high,
but we do notthink the damage is nearly
80 great as represented to be.
The story Of the existence of spurious
| bonds of Jefferson county is confirmed
as to one such bond, at least. MI. N.
Merriman, of Jefferson, informs the In
dependent that some weeks ago a bond
that was Immediately recognized as a
counterfeit was received by the treasurer
of the county. 1t was forwarded by
some bank in Chicago or New York, Mr..
Merriman forgets which, who explained
that it had been deposited with them by
a Montana man as security for a loan.
It was an exact fac smile of the genuine
bonds except that the names of the
officers signed were those of men utterly
unknown. 1t was returned and nothing
more has been heard of it.
The Territorial Auditors books show
that the first warrant issued for the
squirrel bounty was on the 9th of April,
and since hat time the Territory has
paid out 81, Sl4,O5 for bounties on these
animals. 1856, So for ground squirrels
and $257.70 for prairie dogs, and the
certificates upon which such warrants
were issued show that in that period
l51, l29 ground squirrels and l5,770 prairie
dogs have been killed. Over W 900 in
two months-$42,NOO a year-and this
exclusive of the bounty paid for bears,
wolves and coyotes. The total amount
paid last year for bounty was $l3, 9S5,
when the rate on the larger animals was
much greater than now But here in
two months, on squirrels and prairie
dogs alone, the Territory has paid out
over half the whole amount OF last years
bounty disbursements. Of this money
over seven.eights goes TO Gallatin county
where the squirrel traffic has been
worked for all it is worth. Now, how
ever, the other counties are becoming
aware of the fact that there is such a law
in operation and the result is All in.
creased onslaught on the treasury. II
looks like a beginning only as the
amount Of warrants paid seems increas.
ing daily. The bounty account at the
end of 1887 may equal $50
From the intelligent interest taken by
President Harris, ofthe Northern Pacific,
in the statements of our mining men
yesterday relating to the mineral re
sources and freight business of this camp
it is evident that the suggestion of
Northern Pacific line from Three Forks
to Garrison via Butte and Anaconda will
be made the subject of careful and Impair
tial investigation, That is all the people
of Butte ask. The more the situation
is inquired into the better are thu
chances for securing the new road. II
is simply a question of time. 1t involves
the interests of the Northern Pacif,
fully as much rs il does those of Butte
There saems to have been a concerted
effort made in New York to keep fron
the controlling spirits of tn, Northern
Pacific all knowledge of the freigh
capabilities OF this section ofthe territory
and 1t has bees represented to then
that Helena WAS the .entre of all tn,
freight, all the mines and all the popu
lation Of Montana. 1t has required
personal visit from men like Harris, Ives
Wright and Wadsworth to convinc,
them of the absurd fal,acy Of this rnmor
and now we may look for immediate an,
radical changes. The tail has been way
ging the dog long enough,-Inter Noun
! tain.